An 82-year-old woman who teaches the ancient Indian martial art of Kalaripayattu says she has no plans to retire. "I'll probably practise Kalari until the day I die," says Meenakshi Raghavan, widely thought to be the oldest woman in the world to practise the art form. Kalaripayattu - kalari means battleground and payattu means fight - is believed to have originated at least3,000 years backin the southern state of Kerala and is regarded as India's oldest martial art. It is not solely practised for combat or fighting; it also serves to instil discipline, build strength and develop self-defence skills. Ms Raghavan is fondly known as Meenakshi Amma - Amma means mother in the Malayalam language - in Kerala's Vadakara, where she lives. The town is also home to other renowned exponents of the art like Unniyarcha, Aromal Chekavar and Thacholi Othenan. Meenakshi Amma occasionally performs in other cities but mainly runs her own Kalari school, founded by her husband in 1950. Her days are busy, with classes from five in the morning to noon. "I teach about 50 students daily. My four children were also trained [in the art form] by me and my husband. They started learning from the age of six," she says. Kalaripayattu has four stages and it requires patience to learn the art form. Training begins with meypattu - an oil massage followed by exercises to condition the body. After about two years, students progress to kolthari (stick fighting), then to angathari (weapon combat), and finally to verumkai - the highest level, involving unarmed combat. It typically takes up to five years to master Kalaripayattu. Kung fu is believed to have adapted principles like breathing techniques and marmashastra (stimulating vital points to optimise energy flow) from Kalaripayattu, according to Vinod Kadangal, another Kalari teacher. Legend has it that around the 6th Century, Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma introduced these techniques to the Shaolin monks, influencing the more famous Chinese martial art. Meenakshi Amma still recalls the first time she stepped into a Kalari - the red-earth arena where the art is practised - 75 years ago. "I was seven and quite good at dancing. So my guru - VP Raghavan - approached my father and suggested that I learn Kalaripayattu. Just like dance, the art form requires you to be flexible," she says. Hailing from Kerala's Thiyya community, Meenakshi Amma's guru was 15 when he and his brothers opened their own Kalaripayattu school after being denied admission elsewhere because of their low social caste. "There was no bias when it came to girls enrolling to study Kalari - in fact, physical education was compulsory in all Kerala schools at that time. But we were expected to stop after attaining puberty," she says. Unlike others, Meenakshi Amma's father encouraged her training into her late teens. At 17, she fell in love with Raghavan, and they soon married. Together, they went on to train hundreds of students, often for free. "At the time, a lot of children came from poor families. The only money he [Raghavan] accepted was in the form ofdakshinaor a tribute paid to the teacher," she says. Donations sustained the school, while Raghavan later took a teaching job for extra income. After his death in 2007, Meenakshi Amma formally took charge. While she has no plans to retire at the moment, she hopes to hand over the school one day to her eldest son Sanjeev. The 62-year-old, who is also an instructor at the school, says he is lucky to have learnt from the best - his mother. But being her son earns no favours; he says she's still his toughest opponent. Meenakshi Amma is a local celebrity. During our interview, three politicians drop by to invite her to an awards ceremony. "Amma, you must grace us with your presence," one of them says with folded hands. "Thank you for considering me, I'll attend," she replies. Her students speak of "fierce admiration" for her. Many have opened their own Kalari schools across the state, a source of great pride for Meenakshi Amma. "She's an inspiration to women everywhere - a rare person who shows love and affection to her students, yet remains a strict disciplinarian when it comes to Kalari," says KF Thomas, a former student. Follow BBC News India onInstagram,YouTube,XandFacebook.
India's sword-wielding grandmother still going strong at 82
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TruthLens AI Summary
Meenakshi Raghavan, an 82-year-old practitioner and teacher of Kalaripayattu, India's ancient martial art, expresses no desire to retire, stating, "I'll probably practise Kalari until the day I die." Widely recognized as the oldest woman actively practicing this art form, she resides in Vadakara, Kerala, a town rich in Kalaripayattu history. The martial art, which translates to 'battlefield fighting,' is believed to have originated over 3,000 years ago and is not only focused on combat but also emphasizes discipline, strength building, and self-defense. Meenakshi Amma, affectionately named after the term for 'mother' in Malayalam, runs a Kalari school established by her husband in 1950 and teaches approximately 50 students daily. Her rigorous schedule includes classes from early morning until noon, and she has successfully trained her four children in the art since their childhood, fostering a legacy of Kalaripayattu within her family.
Kalaripayattu training is structured in four progressive stages, starting with meypattu, which includes body conditioning exercises, and advancing through stick fighting, weapon combat, and unarmed combat. Mastery of the art typically requires up to five years of dedicated practice. The influence of Kalaripayattu extends beyond India, with some principles believed to have been adopted by Kung Fu, particularly techniques introduced to Shaolin monks by Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma in the 6th Century. Meenakshi Amma recalls her own journey into Kalaripayattu beginning at the age of seven, encouraged by her guru despite societal norms that often limited girls' participation. Following the passing of her husband in 2007, she took over the school, with aspirations to eventually pass it on to her eldest son, Sanjeev. Revered in her community, Meenakshi Amma is recognized not only for her martial arts prowess but also for her role as an inspiring figure for women, combining strict discipline with genuine care for her students, many of whom have gone on to establish their own Kalaripayattu schools, further spreading the art form she loves so dearly.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the inspiring story of Meenakshi Raghavan, an 82-year-old woman who practices and teaches Kalaripayattu, an ancient Indian martial art. This narrative serves multiple purposes, from celebrating cultural heritage to promoting the values of discipline, strength, and resilience.
Cultural Significance
Kalaripayattu is regarded as one of India's oldest martial arts, with roots that trace back over 3,000 years. By showcasing Meenakshi Amma's dedication to this art, the article emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural traditions and the relevance of such practices in modern society. It champions the idea that age should not be a barrier to one's passions or pursuits, encouraging readers to appreciate the value of lifelong learning and physical fitness.
Community Impact
The article portrays a strong community connection, as Meenakshi Amma runs a Kalari school in Vadakara, training not only local students but also her own children. This fosters a sense of continuity and legacy within the community, suggesting that such traditions can be passed down through generations. The mention of other historical figures associated with Kalaripayattu enhances the narrative by situating Meenakshi Amma within a broader cultural context.
Inspiration and Motivation
By featuring a senior woman as a role model, the article aims to inspire both young and old readers to pursue their interests and stay active, regardless of age. This narrative can serve to shift societal perceptions about aging and capability, promoting the idea that individuals can remain vibrant and engaged in their passions well into their later years.
Potential Omissions
While the article focuses on the positive aspects of Meenakshi Amma’s life and Kalaripayattu, it may gloss over the challenges faced by practitioners of traditional arts in contemporary society, such as funding, recognition, and the impact of modernization on cultural practices.
Manipulative Elements
The article does not appear to contain explicit manipulative elements, as it primarily seeks to celebrate a cultural figure and her art. However, it could be argued that by idealizing Meenakshi Amma’s story, it may unintentionally create unrealistic expectations about longevity and capability in the face of aging.
Reliability and Trustworthiness
The reliability of the information seems high as it is based on personal accounts and well-known cultural heritage. However, the absence of critical perspectives or potential challenges faced by traditional martial arts could limit a fully nuanced understanding.
Overall, the article serves as an uplifting narrative that promotes cultural heritage, community values, and the importance of staying active in later years, while also leaving some questions about the broader context of traditional arts in modern society.